• Central Rivers AEA Chief Administrator

    Heartland Area Education Agency (Cedar Falls, IA)


    Job ID: 5375124

     

    Chief Administrator

     

    Central Rivers Area Education Agency (CRAEA) Cedar Falls, Iowa

     

    Anticipated start date: July 1, 2026

     

    Salary range: $195,000–$215,000 (commensurate with experience)

     

    Reports to: CRAEA Board of Directors

     

    Status: Full-time, exempt

     

    About Central Rivers AEA

     

    Central Rivers AEA partners with public and accredited nonpublic schools across our region to deliver Special Education, Educational Services, Media, and Creative Services that improve teaching and learning. We collaborate locally and statewide to ensure every child has access to comprehensive educational opportunities .

     

    The Opportunity

     

    This role provides strategic direction, ensures excellence across all programs and services, and represents CRAEA regionally and statewide.

     

    Job Description (https://drive.google.com/file/d/197iyC5jofHoEYvevi7v5ONDSmCfmAyCM/view?usp=sharing)

    Key Responsibilities

    + Governance & Strategy: Serve as executive leader of the organization and ex-officio member of the Board; recommend policy, implement Board-adopted policies, and advise the Board in deliberations.

    + Program Excellence: Lead, evaluate, and continuously improve services in Special Education, Educational Services, Media, and Creative Services.

    + System Leadership: Guide all programs, budgets, and personnel; communicate agency and district needs; ensure compliance with law, Departmental Rules, BoEE regulations, and Board policy.

    + Partnerships: Collaborate with local boards and superintendents; coordinate local, regional, and statewide educational planning; maintain strong, transparent communications with partners.

    + Talent & Culture: Oversee recruitment processes; make employment/promotion recommendations; cultivate a high-performance, student-centered culture.

    + Finance & Operations: Develop and manage a fiscally responsible budget that supports efficient operations and service quality; act as custodian of agency records and property.

    + Advocacy & Visibility: Engage with legislators on policies that strengthen the AEA system; be visible and responsive across the CRAEA region and statewide.

    + Professional Growth: Participate in ongoing professional learning and collaborate with fellow AEA chief administrators.

    Required Qualifications

    + Education: Specialist degree (Ed.S.); doctorate preferred in educational administration.

    + Licensure: Appropriate Iowa Department of Education/Board of Educational Examiners licensure and endorsements.

    + Experience: Minimum four years of successful administrative experience.

    + Expertise: Demonstrated knowledge of Special Education law, program development, and best practices.

    + AEAs & Services: Strong working knowledge of the AEA system’s fee-for-service structure in Educational Services, Media, and Creative Services.

    + Equivalencies: The Board may consider alternatives to the above qualifications when appropriate.

    Compensation & Benefits

    + Salary: $195,000–$215,000 based on experience and credentials.

    + Benefits: Comprehensive package per Board policy, including health and retirement benefits.

    + Contract: Multi-year arrangement considered per Board discretion.

     

    Application Process

    Submit the following:

    + Letter of interest addressing qualifications and leadership approach

    + Current resume or vita

    + Three current professional references (name, title, contact information)

    + Proof of Iowa licensure/eligibility

     

    Priority consideration for applications received by Monday, Oct. 6; position open until filled.

     

    How to Apply: Submit materials via application link (https://heartlandaea.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5375124) . Confidential inquiries may be directed to Dr. Cindy Yelick, Chief Administrator, Heartland AEA, [email protected] , 515-270-9030 or Mr. Nathan Wood, Chief Administrator, Great Prairie AEA, [email protected] , 641-682-8591

     

    Equal Opportunity Employer: Central Rivers AEA is committed to equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, or veteran status. Background check required.